Lando Norris has made the surprising claim that the much-talked-about ‘papaya rules’ within the McLaren Formula 1 team do not exist.
The Woking-based squad’s principled stance on how both Norris and team-mate Oscar Piastri race has often been the subject of conversation.
Particularly so after last weekend’s Italian Grand Prix, in which Piastri was asked to cede second place back to Norris in the closing laps.
Norris had been running second for the majority of the race, with Piastri behind, as both scheduled their pitstops before the chequered flag.
The Briton’s stop was four seconds longer than Piastri’s, owing to a faulty wheel gun issue, which handed the position to the Australian.
But a radio communication to Piastri was made, asking him to hand the position back, sparking increased debate on an already-notable topic within the sport.
The term ‘papaya rules’ was coined last year, after two incidents that saw controversial calls made on the basis of fairness within the team.
Norris was forced to cede the lead and race win to Piastri in Hungary under similar circumstances, which was followed by another call, also at Monza.
Both men were ordered to exercise caution when racing each other, as to ensure Constructors’ Championship points, a rule that has remained since.
But Norris, speaking to DAZN, made the shocking claim that such rules apparently exist only outside of McLaren.
“There are no papaya rules anymore,” he addressed. We’ve never had them.”
When asked to expand further on this, and what the document of the supposed rules is, Norris confirmed they had a different name, adding: “It’s not even a page long, actually.
“The important thing is it says: Fair. And this covers many things, fairness for me and for Oscar.
“I don’t choose that these things happen. We don’t care what’s happened in the past, but we do what we think is right for us.”
Piastri now leads Norris by 31 points in the Drivers’ Championship going into next week’s Azerbaijan Grand Prix.
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